Page 357 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

I found there! The infuriated Anna, bristling like a trapped young animal, stood before
Caraffa. Her eyes were flashing threats and it seemed that a little bit more and my
bellicose daughter would lose control over herself. My heart almost stopped, unable to
believe in the reality of what was going on! It seemed that my anguish which had been
accumulating for several long months would break forth and drown my dear girl! Only
now, on seeing her before me, I understood at last how infinitely and painfully I missed
her.

Anna had grown up very much and looked even more beautiful than I remembered
her. The severe imprint of loss was now imposed on the soft child's features of her sweet
face, which made it more attractive and exquisite. But there was another thing that
staggered me most of all – Anna was not afraid of Caraffa at all! Why? Has she
succeeded in finding something that could save us from him?!
– Aha! Madonna Isidora! Very opportune! Please, explain to your stubborn
daughter that nothing threatens you for the moment. She is truly impossible! I think
Meteora spoiled her gentle disposition. But we will correct it. She will not have to
return there anymore.

– What do you mean by saying this, Your Holiness? You wished to make a
"heaven-born" witch out of her, or have your plans changed?
I was extremely excited and in dread for Anna, but I knew that I must not let
Caraffa see that. Should he understand that his plan was successful then Hell would
seem to us a pleasant place in comparison with Caraffa’s basements. Therefore I tried
to look calm with what was left of my strength and at the same time did not take my
eyes off my dear girl. Anna behaved so confidently that I wondered, what did they teach
her in Meteora?
Anna rushed to me with open arms; paying no attention whatsoever to Caraffa’s
dissatisfaction. Her enormous eyes shone like two bright stars in the Italian night sky!

– Mother, dear! I am so glad that they lied!!! Everything is all right with you, isn’t
it? They have not tortured you. They have not harmed you, have they?
She grasped my hands, quickly touched my shoulders, attentively scrutinizing my
face, as if wishing to be sure that I was truly alright, at least for the time being...

– Mother, I was so afraid for you! I was so afraid that I wouldn’t find you alive!
– But I called you! I wanted to warn you not to come. Why did not you talk to me,
dear? – I whispered, hugging my brave girl. – He deceived you, my joy!
But Anna just smiled happily, hugging me very strongly, and I had no choice but
to do the same. She obviously was not going to listen to me, being absolutely sure that
she was right.

– Well, I think that’s enough hugs for today! – Caraffa discontentedly croaked. –
Does not it seem to you, Isidora, that now you should be a little more compliant? Anna
became a wonderful girl who any mother would be proud of. Her life should be very
dear to you, shouldn’t it? – He sustained a pause and then added: – It now depends
only on you, my dearest Isidora... From this moment everything depends only on you.
On rubbing his hands complacently, Caraffa got up to withdraw.

– I have spoken to my father, Your Holiness... He told me about that other, distant

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